2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 Picks & Predictions (1.0)

With the NFL Scouting Combine officially in the books and free agency looming, I thought I’d try my hand at a 2026 NFL mock draft. This is my first attempt of the season, so things are likely to change dramatically as we progress through the offseason and get closer to the draft.

Nonetheless, I felt reasonably good about where most of the prospects ended up from a value standpoint, without too many major reaches or slides. Feel free to contact me on X @draftexaminer with any suggestions.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks & Predictions

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB – Indiana)

I don’t think we should be filling this pick in with a pen yet, but it makes a lot of sense. Fernando Mendoza’s storybook season will likely have him as the top quarterback on most teams’ boards. Some detractors notwithstanding, he’s generally considered a relatively safe quarterback prospect.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Fernando Mendoza

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese (LB – Ohio State)

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn’s defense struggled mightily this past season, and they also traded away two of their biggest pieces in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. They finished near the bottom of the league in metrics like pressure rate, which Arvell Reese should be able to help boost.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Arvell Reese

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa (OT – Miami)

Some have Francis Mauigoa projected to slide inside at the next level, and I’d say that’s a possibility. Regardless of where he lines up, he should be able to fill a need in Arizona, given that they could use help at both tackle and guard. This is a bit early, but it makes sense.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Francis Mauigoa

4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey (EDGE – Texas Tech)

Trading for Jermaine Johnson to play opposite Oluwafemi Oladejo gives the Titans a couple of talented young EDGE rushers, but Oladejo didn’t play much last year, and you can never have enough pressure-generators up front. I’m not sure Mansoor Delane is the best fit for Gus Bradley’s defense, though.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for David Bailey

5. New York Giants: Mansoor Delane (CB – LSU)

Offensive line is a possibility, as the contracts of the team’s right-side blockers are expiring, but the Giants also need help at receiver and cornerback. Would Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh go for one of the receivers in the class? Maybe, but I think drafting a cornerback like Mansoor Delane works, too.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Mansoor Delane

6. Cleveland Browns: Jordyn Tyson (WR – USC)

I’m assuming Cleveland traded for Tytus Howard so that he could play right tackle. That leaves them with the task of working on the inside of their line, where all three starters are free agents, until later, especially since Francis Mauigoa is gone. Maybe they’ll take a receiver of some sort.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Jordyn Tyson

7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs (DB – Ohio State)

Assuming Caleb Downs’ knee checks out, he should be in play here after the Commanders were repeatedly beaten downfield in 2025. If not, maybe they’d look at someone like Sonny Styles to pair with Bobby Wagner, who turns 36 soon. Either seems like a good fit for Dan Quinn’s defense.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Caleb Downs

8. New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)

Alvin Kamara struggled mightily this past year (3.6 yards per attempt) and will be 31 in 2026. Coming from the Eagles, Kellen Moore knows how much an elite running back can help offensively, and a pick like this would be great for Tyler Shough‘s development as well.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Jeremiyah Love

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano (OT – Utah)

Jeremiyah Love would have been nice, but he’s not available. The Chiefs have been building an athletic offensive line in recent years, and I could see them adding to that with Spencer Fano. Andy Reid famously loves drafting linemen high, and they actually need one at right tackle after cutting Jawaan Taylor.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Spencer Fano

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE – Miami)

This feels like a defensive pick, given that the Bengals’ unit just finished 30th in points and 31st in yards this past year. Myles Murphy showed some improvement in 2025, and the team drafted Shemar Stewart in the last draft, but they also stand to lose Trey Hendrickson in free agency.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Rueben Bain Jr.

11. Miami Dolphins: Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)

Several players at other positions could make sense here, including Ty Simpson and Jermod McCoy. Personally, I’m probably highest on McCoy, but his ACL injury could be a concern for a team that suffered some costly injuries last year. How about Carnell Tate to replace Tyreek Hill opposite Jaylen Waddle?

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Carnell Tate

12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)

Sonny Styles could easily go higher than this, as he’s one of my top prospects in the class and has skyrocketing stock after an impressive combine. If he’s available, he could make sense as an upgrade over Kenneth Murray Jr., who hasn’t been a very consistent starter throughout his career.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Sonny Styles

13. Los Angeles Rams: Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)

Fundamentally, this pick is about whether the Rams want to build for the future or contend now. I know they just traded the 29th overall pick for Trent McDuffie, but they could stand to upgrade over Cobie Durant or Emmanuel Forbes Jr. at the other corner spot, and I like the value here.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Jermod McCoy

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane (OG – Penn State)

If the Ravens didn’t run a 3-4 base defense, I’d probably project them to scoop up Rueben Bain Jr. here, but I don’t know if I love the fit. They could use help at both guard spots, and Daniel Faalele is a free agent on the right side. Whether Ioane replaces Faalele or Andrew Vorhees, he’s an upgrade.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Olaivavega Ioane

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)

Cade Otton is set to hit free agency, and although you’d imagine the Buccaneers would be willing to bring him back in 2026, I’m not sure it would stop them from scooping up a talent like Kenyon Sadiq at this point. A linebacker of some sort could work well, but I don’t love the value.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Kenyon Sadiq

16. New York Jets: Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson)

I wonder how much influence offensive coordinator Frank Reich would have on this pick if it’s on that side of the ball, as I’m not sure Ty Simpson or Makai Lemon are the best fits. A cornerback like Avieon Terrell might make sense, given the Jets’ lack of interceptions last year.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Avieon Terrell

17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor (OT – Alabama)

Al-Quadin Muhammad had 11 sacks opposite Aidan Hutchinson last season. I’m not crazy about the team’s cornerbacks, but Terrion Arnold hasn’t had a ton of snaps due to injury. To me, it makes sense to consider an offensive lineman who could start inside and maybe move to the blindside later.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Kadyn Proctor

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman (DB – Oregon)

Lining up an eventual replacement for Harrison Smith seems like a possible priority for the Vikings this offseason, so I’m not going to overthink this pick. Dillon Thieneman’s combine should have him firmly in the first-round conversation, and he would be a solid fit for Brian Flores’ scheme.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Dillon Thieneman

19. Carolina Panthers: Makai Lemon (WR – USC)

It seems crazy to draft a third straight first-round wide receiver, but Xavier Legette hasn’t produced as expected so far, and Makai Lemon offers a totally different style to Legette and Tetairoa McMillan. I was also very tempted to pick Keldric Faulk, as he could replace Tershawn Wharton in their odd front.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Makai Lemon

20. Dallas Cowboys: Keldric Faulk (EDGE – Auburn)

Keldric Faulk is one of the most versatile front-seven defenders in this year’s class, and the Cowboys have shown a preference for bigger-bodied EDGE rushers recently. They also have an older group of EDGE rushers, and Jadeveon Clowney and Dante Fowler Jr. are both set to hit free agency.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Keldrick Faulk

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Monroe Freeling (OT – Georgia)

I get it, replacing Broderick Jones with another relatively raw Georgia tackle might not be the most comfortable option for Steelers fans. However, they couldn’t protect Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs, and Monroe Freeling has the athleticism for Mike McCarthy’s outside-zone-heavy run game.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Monroe Freeling

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Max Iheanachor (OT – Arizona State)

Max Iheanachor’s tape is impressive. He’s one of the biggest, thickest tackles in the class, and excels at moving people in the run game, traits which should make him a good fit for Jim Harbaugh’s offensive philosophy. He could kick inside to right guard and help the team protect Justin Herbert.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Max Iheanachor

23. Philadelphia Eagles: T.J. Parker (EDGE – Clemson)

We’ll have a much better idea of what the Eagles’ defense will look like in 2026 after free agency, as they have a few big pieces and a lot of rotational players set to hit the market. They could look at a defensive back of some sort, too, but I like a big-bodied rusher off the edge here for now.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for T.J.Parker

24. Cleveland Browns: Ty Simpson (QB – Alabama)

I wanted to go with an offensive lineman, but from a schematic standpoint, I’m not sure whether anyone available is a perfect fit. Ty Simpson reportedly has a close relationship with new Browns head coach Todd Monken, who previously tried to recruit him to Georgia.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Ty Simpson

25. Chicago Bears: Peter Woods (DL – Clemson)

The Bears struggled to stop the run last year, finishing 27th in yards allowed. Although they drafted Shemar Turner in the second last year, their top three interior guys (Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett, Andrew Billings) all struggled. They also have Nahshon Wright and Jaquan Brisker set to hit free agency.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Peter Woods

26. Buffalo Bills: KC Concepcion (WR – Texas A&M)

A lot of Buffalo’s veterans are set to hit free agency this offseason, so they’re very hard to mock for right now. Last year, they struggled to stop the run (28th in yards allowed), and they are set to potentially lose a lot of players up front. A receiver or interior lineman is in play, too.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for KC Concepcion

27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu (OT – Utah)

Somehow, the 49ers made it deep into the playoffs despite a ton of injuries to key players. Their pass defense should improve with their defensive front healthy again, and they could also use a receiver or lineman. A rookie who could play left guard before taking over for Trent Williams would be ideal.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Caleb Lomu

28. Houston Texans: Caleb Banks (DL – Florida)

Depending on how free agency goes, this looks like it could be an offensive or defensive lineman, most likely on the interior. Even if they re-sign everyone, Sheldon Rankins will be 32, and they don’t have a lot of interior depth behind him and Tim Settle at defensive tackle.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Kayden McDonald

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Kayden McDonald (DL – Ohio State)

The Chiefs traded Trent McDuffie for this pick, although they have two other good cornerbacks on the roster in Jaylen Watson and Nohl Williams. A safety or receiver makes sense, as does a complement for Chris Jones up front. I’ll go with Kayden McDonald here as an upgrade over Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Kayden McDonald

30. Denver Broncos: Anthony Hill Jr. (LB – Texas)

Left guard is a possibility, but I’m not sure anyone currently available is the best fit for that role. A receiver could work, or Denver could potentially need either a five-tech or a linebacker after free agency. Vance Joseph likes range at linebacker, and Anthony Hill Jr. has excellent athleticism.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Anthony Hill Jr.

31. New England Patriots: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE – Miami)

Three prospects stood out to me here: Denzel Boston, Blake Miller and Akheem Mesidor. Receiver is a need, but I wonder if Boston is their ideal type. Miller makes sense if the team thinks he can play left guard as a rookie. I’ll go with Mesidor, as we don’t know what K’Lavon Chaisson‘s status is.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Akheem Mesidor

32. Seattle Seahawks: Chase Bisontis (OG – Texas A&M)

Seattle looked dominant down the stretch of their Super Bowl run, so there isn’t a lot they need to work on. However, the interior of their offensive line is probably their weakest link. Chase Bisontis may seem like a bit of a reach, but his athleticism and physicality could help clear holes in the run game.

Check out the full 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Chase Bisontis

More 2026 NFL Mock Draft Picks

Here are more 2026 NFL Mock Drafts.

Articles Mock Drafts NFL NFL Draft Rookies

About Author

Matthew Jones

@draftexaminer

Matthew Jones is a featured writer at FantasyPros, providing unique insights and in-depth analysis.